A Houston architecture firm has confirmed that Weingarten Realty hired the company to plan the interior demolition of the historic Alabama Theater (1939). The Web site Culturemap Houston reports that an unnamed official at Heights Venture Architects told reporter Caroline Gallay that the firm submitted plans for a "near total interior demolition” of the Alabama at the request of Weingarten Realty, which owns the Art Deco movie theater.

Weingarten Realty is taking bids for the interior demolition of the former Alabama Theater, 2922 S. Shepherd. According to Swamplot.com, plans prepared by Heights Venture Architects show major alterations to the floor, ceiling and walls, including removal of the medallions, murals and Art Deco detailing.

The congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church voted March 7 to halt the demolition of its former sanctuary and to commit $150,000 toward renovating the historic Heights-area church. The Gothic Revival building on Cortlandt Street at East 15th Street will be used as flex space to accommodate church functions and Immanuel Lutheran School activities as well as community events.

Rutgers University has released a comprehensive new report analyzing the economic impact of the Federal Historic Tax Credit. The findings confirm the value of preservation incentives in creating jobs and spurring investment.